Rezoning approved at site of proposed senior housing complex in Patton Township. What’s next?

Patton Township Supervisors passed an ordinance Wednesday that will rezone a tax parcel at 160 W. Clearview Ave. to accommodate plans for a 31-unit, 55+ affordable housing apartment complex.

Though the rezoning request has been controversial for many, including those who live in the neighborhood, there were no public comments during the public hearing. The board unanimously approved the ordinance without discussion, though the board previously discussed the request at length.

In August 2023 the Patton Township Planning Commission heard an overview of the rezoning request for 160 W. Clearview Ave., which was previously a radio station. Leslie Warriner, senior planner for the township, at the time said the township received a request from HFL Corporation in May 2023 to consider rezoning that property for a proposal of a 31-unit attainable housing community for people 55 years and older. The 2.5 acre parcel is zoned R-2 low density residential and the request was for R-3 medium density residential.

Many township residents have shared their concerns about the zoning change, with several noting an increase in traffic in the neighborhood and fears of it altering the neighborhood’s small and quiet character.

The board previously supported the rezoning request and it moved to the Centre Region Planning Commission for further review. The CRPC was unable to review the request, township manager Amy Farkas said, but former Centre Region Planning Agency Director Jim May reviewed it.

“Former CRPA Director Jim May reviewed the request to rezone 160 Clearview Avenue and finds it is in conformance with the Centre Region Comprehensive Plan, good planning practices, and the proposed project meets affordable housing goals in the Region and in Patton Township,” the meeting agenda states.

Now that the zoning request has been approved, the developer can submit a land development plan for the site.